Understanding Divorce and Family Law in Wyoming: Lessons from Lewis v. Lewis

How Wyoming Courts Divide Property, Handle Custody, and Evaluate Child Support 

Divorce is never easy — emotionally, financially, or legally. If you're considering or currently facing a divorce in Wyoming, it helps to understand the legal landscape. The 2025 case of Lewis v. Lewis provides a clear example of how Wyoming courts decide issues like asset division, child custody, and support — and what legal doctrines guide their decisions. 

How Are Marital Assets Divided in Wyoming? 

Wyoming is an equitable distribution state, which means the court divides marital property in a way it deems fair — not necessarily equal. Courts consider various factors, including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and earning potential, and contributions to marital property. 

In Lewis v. Lewis, the couple owned several significant assets, including business interests and a family home. The court: 

• Awarded each spouse their respective business interests and retirement accounts; 

• Valued and awarded the marital home to the wife — along with its mortgage; 

• Ordered the husband to pay a $400,000 equalization payment to achieve fairness in the division. 

📌 Key Legal Principle: The court must consider both the value of assets and any debts attached when determining equitable distribution. In this case, the court explicitly stated the wife received the equity, not just the home’s raw value, which included the mortgage balance. 

How Does Wyoming Handle Child Custody? 

Wyoming courts aim to promote the best interests of the child. In Lewis, the court awarded shared legal custody but divided physical custody — one child lived with each parent. 

The court refrained from imposing a rigid visitation schedule, instead requiring each parent to have at least one weekend per month with each child. 

📌 Best Interest Standard: Courts consider each parent's ability to provide, the emotional needs of the children, and the stability of each home. 

What About Child Support and Retroactive Support? 

Child support is determined by a formula that accounts for both parents’ incomes and the custody arrangement. In Lewis, the husband was ordered to pay $67.79 per month in child support after considering both parents' substantial incomes. 

The wife also requested retroactive child support for a 20-month period when she had primary custody. However, the court denied the request, finding that both parents had jointly supported the children during that time. 

📌 Legal Takeaway: While retroactive support is allowed, it is not automatic. Courts may deny it if they find that the children’s needs were met or that both parents shared financial responsibility during the disputed period. 

Discretion and Judicial Fairness 

The Lewis case reinforces a key doctrine in Wyoming family law: broad judicial discretion. Courts are granted flexibility in divorce proceedings, especially in high-conflict or high-asset cases. 

As the Supreme Court stated: 

“We will not disturb a property division in a divorce case, except on clear grounds… the trial court is usually in a better position than the appellate court to judge the parties' needs and the merits of their positions.” 

Final Thoughts 

Divorce proceedings in Wyoming are guided by fairness — not rigid formulas. Whether it’s the division of a family business, child support obligations, or parenting time, the court weighs all the facts and strives for a balanced outcome. 

If you're going through a divorce or facing a custody battle, it’s critical to have experienced legal counsel to protect your interests and help you navigate complex financial and emotional issues. 

John D. Bowers Top-Rated Family Law Attorney With over 28 years of experience and licensure in Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah, John D. Bowers has helped hundreds of clients through divorce, custody disputes, property division, and support litigation. He is recognized in Super Lawyers for the Intermountain States and is known for strategic advocacy and compassionate counsel. 

📞 Call 307-885-1000 for a consultation Bowers Law Firm – Trusted Guidance for Life’s Transitions